Under His Wing

 

We’re in what I call “hang time”.  

The “dog days” are sliding into late August, but I know winter isn’t far off.  You can’t quite enjoy summer, because of the excitement of autumn awaits.  At least that is the case for me.  

I’ll be heading into our local Sport’s Store this week (Lord willing) to buy my hunting license for deer season.  Not sure which “combination” I’ll go for yet.  Last year, I sat in my simple blind watching a buck dance around for circa 20 minutes.  I had the tool to put him in the freezer (Barnett Crossbow), but I lacked the correct license.  So I watched him strut before me, and around me, until he moved on.  This year, I hope to be ready on all levels.

Last week one of our hens hatched out an egg.  Actually, she sat on several, but only one hatched.  It’s a little yellow chick, with lines and blotches of black showing future beauty.  

We have another hen who has been sitting on a nest for way more time than necessary.  Through the hot days and cool nights, she won’t move.  She is determined to hatch out a chick, even though Russ and I shake our heads each day knowing she won’t give up the dream.  She refuses to move.  If you have never been around a “broody hen”, then you may wonder why we haven’t just gone ahead and moved her.  A hen is determined to “take out” anyone or anything that interferes with her beloved eggs or hatched baby.  I don’t want to be the recipient of that anger and fury.   

A third hen also is broody now, sitting on the nest.  It cuts down on egg production, as they are “out of the mix” during this 28-day process, but it provides us with the replacement chicks for our flock.  Our flock is less than 10 now, including our rooster, so it is important to keep these numbers up.  We enjoy seeing them go through this process, and the hens are truly driven to do so. They need no human intervention on this yearly event.  

I love watching the new-mama-hen with her chick these days.  She is so attentive.  She takes the chick throughout the property, staying close to the core cabin.  She walks her by our cat, who wouldn’t dare pounce on a chick.  She takes her on a daily tour, starting at dawn and ending at dusk.  When I put down corn scratch the other day, the Mama called and clucked to her chick to dig in and partake.  Of course, the other hens hear this and come running.  But the puffed-up Mama, feathers expanded and full, are designed to show strength and power and keep the others at bay.  It works.  Everyone, including me, gives this Mama hen a wide berth.  Lord help me if I forget and walk too close, as she will come at you – all in the name of protecting her young.  

I thought of this yesterday, as I heard once again about a child left “by accident” in a hot car.  This nearly one-year old girl was rescued by a police officer, who pried the door open, to save her from a 115 degree car located in Pennsylvania.  Her grandmother and an aunt had gone shopping and “forgot about her”.  Had she died, she would have been the 27^th child this summer to do so.  

So…we have a hen who won’t let a chick out of her sight and fiercely protects her…and humans who are so “distracted” they leave their children to die.  I cannot comprehend.  Simply cannot do it.  The only saving grace for these poor children is to know they are in the arms of Jesus – another beautiful flower in his bouquet.  For eternity.  

For we have a promise.  Jesus will never be distracted…we are told he will NEVER let us go, once we know Him.  Of course, we may get “distracted” and walk away, and therein lies the rub.  We must be obedient.  We must not fall away with the world's distractions.  

Jesus said:  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”  John 10: 27-28   

Keep focused on the Good Shepherd.  It’s a beautiful thing…knowing we will be protected like our hen protects her beloved chick.

For Jesus said:  “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!  {Matthew 23:37}

Until next time, Lord willing.

Sherry

Russ-Stick Realville

In the last few weeks, we saw our final horse, Raz, head down the driveway to his new home.  Actually, he is “going home” to the place where he was born, a few miles east of us.  Our good friend, who loved him the minute she laid eyes on him as a newborn foal a decade ago, is thrilled beyond words to have him back.  

She still owns his Mama, along with several other horses, some also related to Raz., so he is very well received.  Every ride he has taken off our property has included a visit to this home, so he knows it as second nature.  We sent along his groceries too.  150 bales of hay, so the winter won’t be a burden to our good friends.

As for us…I found this quote tucked within my weekly Amish Newspaper (The Budget), which outlines our life desires to a T.  It is by Wendell W. Price.  “There are many activities I must cut out simply because I desire to excel in my pursuit after God and holiness.” 

Will we miss Raz?  Of course.  But I truly believe God brought us to this point, for many reasons.  I must say, I was stunned to see my dear friend, Terri at Our Crazy Farm, was also at this point in her walk.  I think we were saying goodbye to our horses at the same time as she and her family saw their last couple equines leave the farm.  She, too, had horses for many years, with generational ties.  She summed up my feelings upon their departure when she stated “peace dominates the sadness…”.  She added, “These earthly treasures and delights don’t demand our attention like they used to, our satisfaction and joy is sought elsewhere.  We walk along now, after having tasted of glory and eternities nearness, refusing to be comforted by anything short of God Himself.  It’s a strange place to be, to live in this world as if we don’t belong here, strangers and aliens waiting to go home.”  

She goes on to state our feelings, as if snatched from our very thoughts.  See for yourself, HERE.  {Thank you dear Terri, for your ever-comforting words.}

As for our small farm, we still have chickens.  We had two batches hatched this summer, starting on Memorial Day, with the last one in August, with a count of 14 chicks, compliments of our hen, Israel.  What a sight that was!  This summer, we made a new tradition of Sunday dinner being chicken dinner, compliments of our young roosters who morphed into “manhood” throughout the summer.  They go from the outdoor butcher table right into the oven.  Fresh and delicious ~ baked chicken with ‘tators and thick gravy and the trimmin’s.  Next day or so, it’s Chicken Pot Pie with the leftovers.

As for me, my travels to the Amish community have increased tenfold.  (I’ll be leaving again on “Black Friday” to spend the day.)  I have enjoyed so many visits to various homes, being welcomed into the fold by children and adults.  In recent months, I’ve enjoyed road trips with my Amish friend, traveling to other Amish communities.   I’ve been learning about living out a Christ-centered life to the fullest extent (I now wear not only a skirt, but a head covering).  At times, the emotions are so raw, there are tearful conversations as we dig into revelations of the Word, and such. 

Oh friends, I have so much to tell, but hold back.  I couldn’t figure it out until I talked with a dear friend, who also knows the deep roots of the Amish life.  She summed it up with one word.  INTIMATE.  It is too “intimate”.  It’s SO true…to write any facet about my visits, is truly too intimate.  Perhaps someday I can figure out a way to do so.  The Lord will let me know.

As snow continues to fall, my eyes wander to the sled dogs, all 15 of them.  (Zip is in the cabin by the woodstove, with me.)  This is their time.  And they know it.  For us, it will be different, as it is the first year in over a decade that we aren’t open to the public for dog sled rides.  Calls continue to come in.  We have already had to turn away two Boy Scout troops and others.  I feel bad in doing so, but know our musher friends will pick up the slack and provide them with a wonderful experience. 

I have decided I’m going to check in here each week.  I’ve missed you, my friends.  There is so much to talk about, and we must advance the Kingdom, as the Lord tarries.

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sherry

What Does Spring Mean to You?

We are down to six hens, after selling off our excess flock.

{Ironically we have 3 roosters...

2 are "free" to farm folks if you are in the neighborhood.}

And have more eggs than we need. 

Less is more.

God is good.

The chickens {and bunnies} are enjoying spring.  

And so am I.

However, with it, brings "wanderlust"...

I get it every Spring, 

after being in a 15 x 20 cabin, 

without TV or Internet over the long winter months.

This year, it's off the charts...

The urge to travel to Amish country is strong.

I can't seem to fight the urge.

But soon, I'll be visiting again.

Picking up piglets.

And lambs. 

I love Amish folks...and how they do business.

Until tomorrow, dear friends, God willing.

Sherry

Contentment

Contentment.

Do you have it?

Or do you always feel like jumping the fence?

Flying the coop?

Or are you truly content with your surroundings?

Years ago, I was restless.

I was on a quest...searching.  

Never finding.

But now...

I have found peace.

 How about you...?

Take delight in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart. 
Psalm 37:4

Until tomorrow, dear friends.  God willing.

Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail

Our rabbits are very structured.

As evidenced by their trails.

Boy, if only they used the same trails as our sled dogs.

We could really have everyone working together for the greater good.

But right now, our rabbits have one thing in mind...

to get to the chickens.

Why?  You ask?

Good eats!

And yes, they share...

Until tomorrow, dear friends.  God willing.

Wordless Wednesday - Chick's First Free-Range

Two Years Ago...Dreams Do Come True

"It is not on any map. True places never are."

Herman Melville ~ Mody Dick







Imagine...



If you could wake up tomorrow and not have to answer to anyone.



Except Mother Nature.







Enjoy a pot of coffee over an open fire.







Raise your own beef.







Enjoy fresh milk each day from your favorite milk goat.







Slow cook that tender roast ~ enough for company too.







An alarm clock, not that you would need one...and an egg a day.







Life simply. Outhouse simply.







Build your own furniture, from your own trees.







You can.



I can.



Start with a teeny tiny idea.



Write it down.



Make it yours.







Focus on that plan.



Make it your plan.



Your desire.



Your dream.



Follow that dream.



And remember, "less is more".







"The longings of your heart are not incidental, they are critical messages. The desires of your heart are not to be ignored, they are to be consulted. As the wind turns the weather vane, so God uses your passions to turn your life. God is too gracious to ask you to do something you hate."

Max Lucado ~ Just like Jesus

Until tomorrow ~ one day closer to my plan ~ God willing (and smiling),

Woodswoman

SIDEBAR:  This Blog was originally published on 3/24/09...almost two years ago...

and now I am "livin' the dream" with 1/3 Living.  Start now folks ~ make your plan. 

It WILL come true! 

Week One - The Hatchling

Every Sunday, little Hattie the Hatchling gets another week older.

This past Sunday, she turned one week of age.

Day in and out ~ she stays close to her Mama.

And Mama protects her with a vengence.

As it should be.

It's a joy to see them together, Mama the teacher, Hattie the student, each day learning more and more.

Mr. Jitters, the father, agrees.